Study: Women Who Are Too Busy for Relationships Are Paying Escorts for the "Boyfriend Experience"

When you need to unwind after a whirlwind week at work and you haven't had time for an actual boyfriend, what do you do? According to new research, more U.K. women than ever are paying for the sexual (and nonsexual) services of male escorts. Lancaster University researchers have launched an ongoing study into how many women use male escorts by interviewing both male and female escorts and the men and women who use their services, as well as comparing the number of online escort profiles posted in 2010 to present day. They found that the market for male escorts has tripled in the last five years. Escorts have reported that, "female clientele may not want or have the time for relationships," according to a university press release. "Some women pay for sexual services [while] in a relationship, for excitement and to spice up their love lives with existing partners." Early findings also show some women who pay for sexual services are seeking companionship as well as sex. "Some women also pay for more than just sexual intercourse," lead researcher Dr. Sarah Kingston told the Mirror. "They might go for a drink or meal with their chosen escort and want a

When you need to unwind after a whirlwind week at work and you haven't had time for an actual boyfriend, what do you do? According to new research, more U.K. women than ever are paying for the sexual (and nonsexual) services of male escorts.

Lancaster University researchers have launched an ongoing study into how many women use male escorts by interviewing both male and female escorts and the men and women who use their services, as well as comparing the number of online escort profiles posted in 2010 to present day. They found that the market for male escorts has tripled in the last five years.

Escorts have reported that, "female clientele may not want or have the time for relationships," according to a university press release. "Some women pay for sexual services [while] in a relationship, for excitement and to spice up their love lives with existing partners."

Early findings also show some women who pay for sexual services are seeking companionship as well as sex. "Some women also pay for more than just sexual intercourse," lead researcher Dr. Sarah Kingston told the Mirror. "They might go for a drink or meal with their chosen escort and want a massage before progressing onto sexual contact—which escorts describe as the 'boyfriend experience.'"

As the study continues, one researcher says, "We aim to find out more about [the women's] experiences of buying sexual services, what types of sexual services they pay for, their reasons, and how they negotiate their physical and sexual safety."